Cheap maxitaxi from the airport

There is now – the lord be praised – an alternative to the train. M&M Transfers takes you from the Arrivals hall at Bucharest (Otopeni) Airport, straight to Brasov (your address of choice) for about £20 (100 RON). They will also take you on to a nearby destination (eg Zarnesti, Cristian, Bod, etc) for another few quid. The vehicles (vehicle size depends on how many passengers they have booked) are new, comfortable and clean; the drivers speak English to one degree or another, and drive safely and well; there’s no smoking in the car. It takes 2.5 hours to Brasov, 2 hours to Sinaia, 3 hours to Zarnesti. I love it. No hassle, no flogging round Bucharest and struggling with the railway system.

There are other maxitaxi and transfer services, but I haven’t used them. I like these guys – and am not getting commission… Call M&M on 0040 742 224242 (they speak good English) or email office@transferairport.ro. More info: www.transferairport.ro (with an English option)

A recent visitor used a minibus service – Direct – that goes between the Aro Palace in Brasov and Otopeni Arrivals car park for 70 lei, and takes three hours. 24-hr reservations on 0040 727 503503, email brasov@direct-aeroport.ro. He caught his flight, so the service works. I’ve not used it myself so can’t tell you any more than that.